Figure 1.

Cardiovascular risk factors promote the generation of ROS. Cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with increased generation of ROS. Superoxide anion radicals (O₂ ^·−) are generated from molecular oxygen via important sources such as NADPH oxidases, the mitochondrial electron transfer chain and uncoupled NO synthases. O₂ ^·− can be converted to H₂O₂ via superoxide dismutases (SOD) or in the presence of NO to peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻). H₂O₂ is decomposed or scavenged by catalase, glutathion peroxidase, glutaredoxins, peroxiredoxins or thioredoxins, respectively. O₂ ^·−, H₂O₂ and ONOO⁻ can react via different reactions to form hydroxyl anion radicals (^·OH) and nitrite (NO₂).